Man arrested in connection with overnight burglary and sexual assault investigation

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Local police arrested a Sarnia man Thursday in connection with a burglary and sexual assault investigation naked man with a knife.

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Police said that around 3 a.m. Tuesday, a man “entered” a home in the 300 block of Kathleen Avenue while the woman was sleeping.

“She woke up and saw a naked man standing next to her bed, holding a knife. A fight ensued, which resulted in (the woman) causing the man to drop a knife and flee the residence. (The woman) suffered sexual violence but did not require medical attention,” police said in a statement issued Tuesday afternoon.

Police notified the public of an increased officer presence in the East Street area while searching for evidence and the defendant, a Caucasian man in his 20s, with a bald head and a distinctive tattoo on his right side. In a news release Wednesday, Sarnia police released a four-second video clip showing a shirtless man wearing a backwards hat and carrying a backpack walking past a security camera and again asked for tips to identify him.

Matthew Holbrough appeared in bail court in Sarnia on Thursday to face charges of burglary, aggravated sexual assault, possession of a weapon – a knife – for a dangerous purpose and two counts of breach of recognizance.

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Records show Holbrough, who was not completely bald but had the sides of his head shaved, leaving a short strip of hair in the middle, will also face trial from 2022 in London, where a warrant was issued for his arrest.

On Thursday, a publication ban was ordered against any evidence presented in Sarnia’s bail court case. He was held in custody and will return to court on Tuesday based on video footage from the Sarnia jail.

Earlier this year, Sarnia police reported Holbrough missing. They said he was last seen on May 14 in the area of ​​London Road and Christina Street two weeks earlier, but was reportedly found later that day.

It is unclear how old Holbrough is. According to a Sarnia Police press release, he is 26 years old, but a May missing person’s report listed him as 30 years old.

Holbrough also appears to have ties to Stratford, according to his Facebook page.

“The circumstances of this incident were very concerning and required a public safety recommendation. Our officers used all available resources to collect vital evidence, establish identity, locate the subject and make an arrest. We hope that this quick resolution will provide at least some relief to the victim and those affected by this crime,” Chief Derek Davis said in a statement Thursday.

On Tuesday, police said Sarnia police were searching the area for potential witnesses or video surveillance. They asked anyone in the area of ​​East and Wellington streets, Kathleen and Walnut avenues and Cherry Drive with a dashboard camera or video surveillance, or anyone who saw anything, to contact Sarnia police. Reg Musclow at 519-344-8861, extension 6198.

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